" Milady, if you stomped me flat, not only would it cause me at least middling discomfort, but it would deprive me of the opportunity to explain how m...uch of the radiance, the luminous serenity, the classic beauty you share with these women who walked the earth in a far nobler age. Rubens might well have immortalized you, too, had you lived in that particular time and place... " CUT THE CRAP!"He reddened and fell silent."I don't know if this is some kind of creative pickup line or -- " Or what?. My first girlorgasm was this incredible explosion, and I nearly fainted. When we got home, my smeared makeup obviously told Lisa we'd been makingout, and she promptly sent Johnny to his room, and dragged me into mine."You little slut!" She screamed, and then slapped my face. "He wantedto!" I screamed back, sounding like some bratty teenager, which is Iguess what I'd become. She continued to berate me while I undressed,ignoring her. "Oh, just back off Lisa, you have no idea what a bitchyou're. Does it matter? It isn’t true. Danny’s a virgin.”“Did the woman have a hijab?” She stroked Brittney’s hair, slower this time. “You know, a head scarf?”“I know what a hijab is, Mom. Mrs. Samatar wears one.” Brittney craned her neck and looked up at her mother. “Why do you ask? Do you think Ted was telling the truth?”“No, no.” Julie shook her head and caressed Brittney’s smooth cheek. She looked into Brittney’s eyes and did her best to lie. “Our Daniel would never do something like that. Ted is a. Forgetting what a wonderful and loving man I had waiting for me at home. Forgetting that nothing Chris could offer me would ever replace what you and I have. Please, please find it in your heart to forgive me.”All through this desperate little speech of hers, Jill’s eyes had been locked laser-like onto mine. Her eyes filled with emotion and using every ounce of energy and every memory of twenty years together to beg and implore me to forgive her.However much I was angry and hurting, I knew I.